Coin-controlled machine



(No Model.) `3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. T. EMEIS.

COIN GONIROLLED MACHINE.

Patented Jem. 25, 1898.

WtHm

me Nanms Pneus no., Pnorawmo. wAsnmsfoN, n. c.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H, T. EMEIS.

G01N GoNTRoLLED MAGHINE.

No. 597,965. Patented Jan. 25, 1898.

mo Model.) 3 Sheets-sheet 3.

` H. T. BMEIS.

G01N CONTROLLBD MACHINE. No. 597,965. Patented Jan.' 25, 18278.

UNITED STATES PATENT einen HENRY T. EMEIS, OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

COIN-CONTROLLED MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 597,965, dated January25, 1898.

Application tiled September 9, 1897. Serial No. 551,109. (No model.)

To ail whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY T. EME-IS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Salt Lake City, in the county of Salt Lake and State ofUtah, have invented a new and useful Coin- Gontrolled or Slot Machine,of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention provides a machine for advertising and trade purposes andwhich affords amusement and a degree of excitement for persons taking aninterest therein, and is of the type operated by means of a coinintroduced into a chute and which in its passage to the coin-receptaclecloses an electriccircuit, whereby an electric lamp is lighted and abell sounded, both serving to intensify the interest and materially addto the amusement afforded. Intermediate of the coin-receptacle andcoin-chute is located a cylinder studded with pins, which deiect thecoin from a straight course, whereby it is'practically impossible forthe depositor to control the direction of the coin and canse it to enterany particnlarcompartment of the receptacle, whereby a degree ofuncertainty is involved as to the linal location of the coin withrespect to lthe compartments of the coin-receptacle- Between thecylinder and the coin-receptacle is arranged an annulus having a seriesof openings formed in a circle anda series of inclined raceways, throughany one of which the coin travels to its final destination, some of theraceways having obstructing-points provided in pairs, forming electricalterminals which are spanned and electrically connected by the coin,thereby completing an electric circuit, whereby the bell is sounded anda lamp lighted.

For a full understanding of the merits and advantages of the inventionreference is to be had to the accompanying drawings and the followingdescription.

The improvement is susceptible of various changes in the form,proportion, and the minor details of construction wit-hout departingfrom the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and toa full disclosure of the invention an adaptation thereof is shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a front view of a machineconstructed inA accordance with this invention and embodying theessential principles thereof. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectionthereof. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the base upon which the cylinderis mounted and which has a circular series of openings. Fig. et is adetail view of the upper portion of the cylinder,showing thecoin-deiiector revolubly mounted thereon. Fig. 5 is a detail view of thebase provided with a series of inclined raceways. Fig. G is adetail viewin perspective of the series of points forming the electric terminalswhich normally obstruct the raceways. Fig. 7 is a view of the coin-chuteand the mechanism connected therewith as seen from the inner side. Fig.S is a longitudinal section thereof, the dotted lines showing theposition of the detent when the plunger for actuating the cylinder isreleased. Fig. 9 is a diagrammatical view showing the direction ofcircuits. Fig. I0 is a detail view in perspective of the circuit-closingdevices and the means for withdrawing the contact points out of the pathof the coin.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in the several views of the accompanyingdrawings by the same reference-characters. The operating parts of themachine are inclosed in a suitable cabinet comprising anupper'compartment l, an intermediate coinpartment 2, and a lowercompartment 3, the latter containing a drawer 4 to receive the coinsdeposited in the machine and subdivided'into a series of pockets orreceptacles 5. This drawer is locked, and access can be had thereto onlyby duly authorized persons provided with a suitable key. The uppercompartment 1 has a glass front and sides 'and contains a cylinder 6,mounted so as toV rotate about a vertical axis and studded with pins 7,set staggering, whereby a coin in its passage from the upper to thelower end of the cylinder is diverted from a straight line. The cylindermay be hollow or solid and constructed of any suitable material and issurrounded by a jacket 8, of transparent substance, such as gelatin,celluloid, or any substance which will permit the observation of thecoin in its descent through the space formed between the cylinder andjacket.

IOO

yon their way to the coin-receptacle.

The outer ends of the pins 7 pass through the jacket and serve to retainthe latter in place and maintain the predetermined distance between thecylinder and jacket, which distance is sufficient to admit of the freepassage of a coin of denominate value without binding. A broad metalband 9 is secured to the upper portion of the jacket 8 and pro jectsabove the cylinderG and supports an annulus 10, having a vertical rim 1lat its inner edge, said rim being toothed to coperate with a dog 12,whereby the cylinder is given an initial impetus to rotate it after acoin has been deposited in the coin-chute. The upper portion of thecylinderis beveled, as indicated at 13, to direct the coins into thespace formed between the cylinder and its jacket, and a deliector 14 isrotatably mounted upon the Lipper end of the cylinder to direct thecoins to the beveled edge portion thereof, and this detlector consistsof a plate normally inclining from the perpendicular and having a socket15, which is mounted upon a pointed journal 16, extending from the upperend of the cylinder, and the upper portion of the deflector exten dsinto the space inclosed by the vertical rim 11, whereby a coin droppingfrom the coin-chute will be received upon the deiector and directed byit to the annular space formed between the cylinder and jacket.

A base 17, formed with or applied to the horizontal partition separatingthe upper and intermediate compartments, is formed with an annularchannelbr groove 18, whose opposing side walls are upwardly and whichcorresponds with the annular space surrounding the cylinder, so as toreceive the coins dropping therefrom, and this annular space or channel18 is subdivided by cross-bars 19,

knife-edged at their upper sides to prevent the lodging thereon of acoin, whereby the latter is given proper direction into one of a seriesof raceways located in the lower compartment. The cross-bars 19 provide,in effect, a series of openings whose walls ilare upwardly to receivethe coins and guide them A journal 2O rises vertically from the base 17and is pointed at its extremity and receives the cylinder 6, which ismounted thereon.

The intermediate compartment 2 contains the raceways and thecircuit-closing devices whereby the bell is sounded and the lamplighted. An inclined diaphragm 21 is formed on its upper side with aseries of parallel grooves, in which are fitted the lower ends ofvertical partitions 22, of sheet metal or other suitable material, andwhich form the side walls of the raceways. The upper portions of thevertical partitions are slitted,and parts are deflected to one or theother side, as required, whereby the coins have a tendency to passthrough some of the raceways more frequently than through others,whereby the interest is augmented, especially when the raceways aredifferently designated, according to the purpose or object for which themachine is designed. For trade purposes a rebate-check having acorresponding valu'e to the coin deposited is issued to the persondepositing a coin, and by attaching di'erent values to the variousraceways and issuing checks of proportionate value redeemable inmerchandise it will be readily seen that the machine as anadvertisingmedium is benecial both to the merchant and customer. The front ends ofthe partitions 22 touch the front wall of the compartment 2, whereas thefront edge of the diaphragm 2l terminates a short distance from the saidwall, whereby the coins may pass readily from the raceways into thespace formed between a cross-bar 23 and the front wall or glass panel ofthe intermediate compartment. A series of plates 24 aline verticallywith the partitions 22 and the vertical walls of the pockets orcoin-receptacles 5 and are interposed between the cross-bar 23 and thedrawer 4 and extend across the space formed between the part 23 and theopposing wall. A movable bar 25 is located in the rear of the cross-bar23 and is held against the latter by arms 26, projecting from arockshaft 27, engaging therewith and operating loosely through staplesor keepers 28, applied thereto. A spring 29 is mounted upon therockshaft and has one end secured thereto and its opposite end restingupon the cross-bar 23 and serves to hold `the bar 25 against the bar 23.A series of points 30 are provided in pairs and secured to the movablebar 25, and operate through openings formed in the bar 23, and normallyproject across the space between the bar 23 and the front wall of thecompartment 2, so as to interrupt the coin in its passage,whereby acircuit is closed and an audible signal sounded and a visual signalbrought under observation. The-manner of connecting the points orelectric terminals 30 is illustrated in the diagrammatical view and willbe referred to more fully hereinafter in connection with the audible andvisual signals. The rock-shaft is extended at one end and provided witha handle 3l, whereby the electric terminals or points 30 may bewithdrawn to interrupt a closed circuit and permit the coin to drop intothe proper pocket or receptacle. Some of the raceways are not providedwith circuit-closing devices. Hence the coin is not interrupted in itspassage from the coinfchute to the receptacle.

The audible signal consists of an electric bell 32, of ordinaryconstruction, secured to the back of the cabinet above the uppercompartment, or it may be located at any convenient point, and is incircuit with any of the pairs of electric terminals or points 30. Thevisual signal consists of incandescent lamps 33 and 34, of differentcolor and in different circuits,whereby upon closing one set of circuitsone lamp is lighted and upon closing another circuit the other lamp islighted. The lamp 34 is in the same circuit with the middlecircuit-closer 35, and the lamp 33 is IOC IIO

in circuit with the remaining circuit-closers, as clearly illustrated inthe diagrammatical View.

The machine may be operated by battery or interposed in an electriccircuit of a dynamo or other current-generator, the several circuitsbeing open and any one adapted to be closed by a coin spanning the spaceformed between anypair of the electric points or terminals 30 andelectrically connecting them, as will he readily understood. The mannerof wiring and connecting the parts is clearly illustrated in thediagrainmatical view, which shows a point or terminal 30 of each of thecircuit-closers in electrical connection and on different lines, wherebyupon bridging any pair of points or terminals 30 a circuit will becompleted and the signals' brought into operation.

The lamps be conveniently located,

but are preferably placed upon the upper porl tionof the cabinet, belowthe bell,where they show to ad vantage and add to the appearance of themachine.

The coin-chute and coin-operated mechanism are protected and attached toa housing 36, which is secured to the upper portion of the cabinet, thefront portion of the housing having a plate secured thereto, in which isformed the coin-receivingslot 37 and to which `is attached thecoin-chute 38, the latterinclining inwardly and downwardly andterminating within the space circumscribed by the vertical rim 11, so asto deposit the coin upon the delector 14. A dog 39 is ulcrumedintermediate ot its ends to the sides ofthe coinchute, and its front endis beveled and normally projects across the receiving portion of thecoin-chute, so as to be depressed upon introducing a coin therein. Therear portion of the beveled end is notched, forminga projection 40,which limits the inward movenient of the coin until the push-bar 41 ispressed inward to withdraw the projection 40 from the path of the coinand at the same time actuate the cylinder, whereby the latter is set inmotion. A spring 42, mounted upon the same pin with the dog 39, holdsthe latter in a normal position and returns it to its original positionafter being actuated upon moving the push-bar inward. The inner or rearend of the dog has an extension 48, which is projected across thecoin-chute to interrupt the flight of the coin when released from theprojection 40, and a pendent hook 44, which normally engages with theinner end of the push-bar 41, so as to prevent the latter from beingmoved inward except upon the introduction of a coin into the coin-slot,whereby the dog 39 is moved so as to withdraw the pendent hood 44 fromengagement with the push-bar, thereby admitting of the latter movinginward upon the application of pressure to its outer end. The push-bar41 projects through the plate applied to the front end ot the housing 36and terminates in a knob to be engaged by a thumb or iinger of the handwhen it is desired to press the part 41 inward to effect a release ofthe coin from the projection 40 and start the cylinder to rotate. Aspring 45 is mounted upon the 'push-bar 41 and confined between the pinpassing transversely therethrough and a web 46, connecting the sidepieces of the coinchute, and serves to hold the push-bar normallyprojected. A cross-bar 47 is applied to the inner end of the push-barand has its ends enlarged to bear against the lower edges of thecoin-chute sides, whereby the push-bar is prevented from turning whenmoved inward. The dog 12 is loosely mounted upon an end portion of thecross-bar 47 and is located wholly to one side of the coin-chute. Thelower side of the coin-chute is open` and a plate 48 is located near therear end t0 assist in properly directing the-coin to the rear end of thecoin-chute, whence it drops onto the deiiector 14.

Upon introducing a coin of proper denominate value into the slot 37 thefront portion of the dog 39 is depressedasuticient distance to withdrawthe pendent hook 44 from the path of the cross-bar 47, whereby thelatter is free to be moved inward. The coin engaging with the projection40 is limited rin its inward movement, and upon moving the pushbar 41inward the cross-bar 47 engages with the beveled end of the pendent hook44 and moves the inner end of the dog 39 upward, thereby withdrawing theprojection 40 from the path of the coin, which latter descends untilstopped by the vertical extension 43, and upon releasing the push-bar itis moved forward by its spring 45, thereby permitting the spring 42 toreturn the dog 39 to a normal position, whereby the coin is againliberated and permitted to continue its travel and drops from thecoin-chute onto the deiiector 14, which directs it into the spaceformed'between the cylinder and its inclosing jacket 8, and in itspassage through this spacethe coin is diverted from a straight courseand the cylinder rotating it finally drops into the annular channel orgroove 1S and passes into one of the raceways, thence into one of thepockets or receptacles, or is received upon a circuit closer, in whichinstance the bell is sounded and one or the other of the lamps lightedby reason of the circuit being established. Upon operating therock-shaft 27' the circuit-closer is withdrawn from the path of thecoin, which drops into the proper pocket or receptacle and, the circuitpreviously established being interrupted, the bell is hushed and thelamp extinguished, therebyrestoring the machine to a normal condition,when the operation just described is repeated by the ICO IIO

introduction of another coin into the slot 3'7 and operating thepush-bar.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In amachine of the character described, the combination of a series of raceways,a coinchute, means intermediate of the coin-chute and theracewaysfor diverting the coin from chute, means intermediate of thecoin-'chute and-raceways for diverting the coin from a straight passageand directing it into any one of the raceways, circuit-closing devicesfor interrupting the coin in its passage and actuated thereby forclosing a circuit, and means for withdrawing the circuit-closers out ofthe path ofthe coin, whereby the latter is liberated and the circuitpreviously closed interrupted, substantially as set forth.

3. In a machine of the character aforesaid, the combination of means fordiverting a coin from a straight line, pairs of electric points oryterminals normally projecting across the path of the coin to interruptit in its passage and be bridged thereby so as to complete the circuitof which they form the terminals, Wheref by an electric appliance isbrought into operation, and means forwithdrawin g the said electricpoints from the path of the coin, whereby the latter is liberated andthe circuit interrupted,-substantially as set forth.

4. In a machine for the purposes-setforth, the combination of means fordiverting a coin from a straight passage, a cross-piece forming a wallof a passage through which the coin passes, a bar, a series of pointsconnected with the said bar and normally projecting beyond thecross-piece to interrupt the coin in its passage, whereby a circuit isclosed, and means for moving the barfor withdrawing the said points fromthe path of the coin, whereby the latter is liberated, substantially asand for the purpose set forth.

5. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination of means fordiverting a coin from a straight line, a cross-piece forming a wall of apassage through which the coin passes, a movable bar, a series of pointsprovided in pairs and constituting electric terminals and attached tothe said movable bar, a rock-shaft, and a spring for holding therockshaft and movable bar in a normal position, whereby the said pointsare held projected across the coin-passage, substantially as set forth.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination of means fordiverting a coin from a direct line, a series of circuit-closersnormally projecting across a space through which the coin passes so asto interrupt the latter, and in turn be operated thereby, a bell incircuit with the series of circuit-closers so as to be sounded upon thecompleting of any one of the circuits, and lamps in different circuits,whereby upon establishing one circuit one of the lamps is lighted andupon closing another circuit the other lamp is brought into operation,substantially as set forth for the purpose described,

7 In a machine of the character set forth,

the combination of a revolving cylinder studded with pins for divertinga coin from a straight passage, an inclined diaphragm, and

ka series of partitions applied to the diaphragm and forming a number ofraceways, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a kcoin-operated machine, the combination of means for divertingthe coin from a straight line, an inclined diaphragm, and a series ofverticalpartitions applied to the diaphragm, forming a number ofraceways, the partitions having their upper portions deflected,substantially in themanner set forth for the purpose specified.

9. In a coin-operated machine, the combination of a series of raceways,and a revolving cylinder studded with pins for diverting the coin fromastraight line and delivering nation of a series of raceways, a cylinder,aL

jacket enveloping the cylinder and forming therewith a space for thepassage of a coin,

and pins passing through the jacketinto the Y cylinder for properlypositioning and holding the jacket in place, and serving to divert thecoin from a straight passage, substantially as vset forth.

l2. In combination, a cylinder having an inclosed surrounding space, avertical rim having connection with the cylinder, an inclined deflectorrotatably mounted with respect to the cylinder and having its upperportion extending into the space circumscribed by the aforesaid verticalrim, and a coin-chute disposed to deliver the coin upon the saiddeflector, substantially as set forth for the purpose described.

13. In combination, a cylinder having an inclosed surrounding space, aninclined deflector rotatably mounted with respect to the cylinder todirect a coin into the space surrounding the cylinder, and a coin-chutedisposed to deliver a coin upon the defiector,substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

14. In combination, a cylinder having its upper portion beveled, ajacket surrounding the cylinder and connected therewith, a vertical rimsupported by the jacket, and an inclined detlector rotatably mountedupon the cylinder and having its upper portion extending into the spacecircumscribed by the vertical rim, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

15. In combination, a series of raceways, a base located above theraceways and having an annular channel or groove subdivided bycross-bars, and a cylinder rotatably mounted upon the base and adaptedto divert a coin from a straight line and into the annular channel,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

16. In combination, a series of raceways, a base located over theraceways and having an annular channel or groove Whose Walls lareupwardly and which is subdivided by crosshars knifeedged on their topside, and a cylinder rotatably mounted upon the base, studded with pins,and havinga surrounding jacket, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

17. In a coin-operated machine, the combination of a coin-chute,adoghavingabeveled portion normally projecting across the coinchute andhaving an extension at its inner end to be projected across thecoin-chute upon introducing a coin therein, and a push-bar normallylocked by the dog and released when placing a coin into the chute, andwhich when moved inward frees the coin, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

18. In a coin-operated machine, the combination of a coin-chute, a doghaving a portion normally extending across the coinchute,and having aprojection a short distance from its front end to limit the inwardmovement of inserting a coin into the coin-chute, and whichA when movedinward releases the coin from the projection of the dog, substantiallyin the manner set forth.

19. In a coin-operated machine, the combination of a revolving cylinderfor delivering a coin to one of a series of raceways, a pushhar, a dogoperated by the push-bar for giving an initial impetus to the cylinder,and a second dog for normally locking the push-bar and adapted to bereleased therefrom upon introducing a coin into the coin-chute,substantially as set forth.

20. In a coin-operated machine, the combination of a revolving cylinder,a coin-chute, a dog having a portion normally projecting across thecoin-chute and having an extension to be projected across the coin-chuteupon introducing a coin therein, a push-har normally locked by theaforesaid dog and released upon inserting a coin into the coinchute, anda second dog having connection with the push-bar and adapted to actuatethe cylinder upon moving the push-bar inward, the parts being disposedwhereby the v cylinder is set in motion prior to the delivery of thecoin thereto, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have heretoaihxed mysignature in the presence of two Witnesses.

